THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ever since the Assembly election dates were announced, 87-year-old K M Philip, a voter in Thiruvananthapuram constituency, has been asking the same question at home, almost like a refrain: How does one cast a vote without stepping out?
Having only recently learnt about the 'vote from home' facility for citizens aged 85 and above, and for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), the octogenarian is keen to exercise his franchise from the comfort of his home. But like over two lakh voters in the category, he finds himself grappling with uncertainty over the process.
Under election rules, voters in these categories must submit their willingness to opt for the facility in Form 12D to the Returning Officers (ROs) of their
respective constituencies within five days of the election notification. With the deadline falling on Friday - a public holiday - anxiety is mounting among many that they could miss the window altogether.
To streamline the process, the Election Commission has equipped Booth Level Officers (BLOs) with an app containing details of eligible senior citizens and PwDs in each booth, directing them to reach out and record their preferences. However, a detailed inquiry by TNIE found that several BLOs remain unsure about using the app and are still awaiting clear instructions from higher authorities. In some instances, BLOs are yet to collect Form 12D from village offices.
"Most of our members aged 85 and above say they haven't received any call from BLOs seeking their willingness to vote from home. Many are also unaware that the deadline is on Friday," said Dr A Salahuddeen Kunju, president of the Senior Citizens Welfare Association, Thiruvananthapuram.
Echoing the concern, George K Thomas, disability rights activist and founder of Freedom on Wheels, said many in the PwD category - including himself - have
not been contacted by BLOs. "Since the recent local body election did not have this facility, many voters in the category are not aware of it this time," he said.
Meanwhile, election officials maintained that BLOs have been directed to expedite the process. "BLOs are contacting eligible voters for home voting. The process is expected to be completed without much difficulty, as the number of such voters in each booth is typically limited to three or four," said a senior
official.
Sources also indicated that the poll panel is considering extending the deadline for submission of Form 12D by a day or two, in view of the public holiday on Friday. As per the prescribed procedure, a polling team visits the voter's residence after prior intimation. The vote is cast through a paper ballot and
placed in a sealed box, with the entire process videographed and conducted in the presence of representatives of political parties to ensure transparency.
2026 ASSEMBLY POLLS
No of elderly voters - 2,04,317
No of voters in PwD category - 2,44,250
(As of March 15, 2026)
2024 LOK SABHA ELECTION
No of elderly voters - 2,46,959
Elderly who voted from home: 1,19,425 (48.35%)
PwD electors: 2,64,232
PwD electors who voted from home: 45,850 (17.35%)